According to Cllr Lee and Ms Law, the cuts from the £1.1 million it provides to Connexions Berkshire is on the basis the resources will be focused on its young clients most in need or those not in employment, education or training.

A Connexions spokesman said while the cuts are necessary, the charity is in discussions with the council to “ensure the best possible service is retained”.

Cuts to music services such as Berkshire Maestros will hopefully encourage the borrowing and lending of instruments and equipment.

The proposed £200,000 reduction for flooding provisions is additional money the council recently agreed for its defence programme in order to meet requirements of the recently amended Flood/Water Act.

Council bosses are confident they have enough money in the coffers to continue work on improving and maintaining the borough’s flood defences.

Phialia Mehring, chairman of the Loddon Valley Residents’ Association (LVRA) which is protesting for better flood defences in the borough, said: “LVRA obviously cannot condone the type of cuts the council is being forced to make.

“But this is the time for the council to start thinking about ways of maximising its resources.”

The £60,000 cuts from primary and secondary targeted support is part of a move to encourage the borough’s schools to “co-operate between themselves”.

Cllr Lee stressed the authority is not planning to make major cuts to its frontline services and its priority to protect Wokingham’s vulnerable adults and children remains.

“We are not cutting our frontline services but we are tightening them,” he said.

“We face significant challenges if we are to make sure our communities continue to get a high standard of service.